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Each team has a leader, more often than not, their rider who has the best chance of winning the tour as a whole; within this team also there will be a range of specialists in various disciplines, including time trialling, mountain climbing, breakaways (when a small group of riders break out of the main group and attempt to win on their own) and sprint finishes. But for all the various jobs, they all have one - generate exposure.

A breakaway that is caught before the finish is not a failure. In race terms, it is but they are the naive, or more positively idealistic, terms. Essentially, it is a success to the men who matter, the money men. Each breakaway provides exposure for the brands smeared across every team jersey in world cycling. A team’s success is driven towards its sponsorship; a team’s sponsorship is dependent on its success.

In the tour, the man whose number ends in 1 is the leader and who wears that says a lot about the team itself. Mark Cavendish, number 111, is the sprinter of HTC-Columbia; they possess no GC contenders and are content to bring Cavendish to the line for him to win basically any flat stage. Astana on the other hand, who boast Alberto Contador (number 1 - defending champion) as team leader, are happy to wait until the mountains before grinding down the Spaniard’s rivals one by one.

Obviously, like in any sport, egos come into the play. Maybe it’s being called ’team leader’; maybe it’s the team mates who cycle back to the cars to bring them their water bottles (or bidons); maybe it’s that shiny number 1 on their back; likely, it’s the million-dollar contracts and endorsements that float around the world’s top cyclists.

In last year’s Tour, Contador had to share his Astana team with none other than seven-time winner Lance Armstrong who made no secret that he was racing for himself, not Alberto. What’s more, Astana’s overall manager Johan Bruyneel was in charge of Armstrong’s team during each of his seven victories. A few weeks of power struggles and tabloid bitchiness later and Armstrong had poached Bruyneel, Levi Leipheimer, Andreas Kloden and others to his newly-formed Team Radioshack. No team can have more than one leader.

So it was with skepticism that I received the news that Alberto Contador was to leave Astana for Saxo Bank, the team of his rival Andy Schleck (as well as his brother Franck). But the rumor mill of cycling is persistent in saying that the brothers Schleck are to leave to join a new team based in Luxembourg run by Kim Andersen, the purveyors of gossip selling it as a “done deal”.

Both riders have much to gain; Schleck, a team created for him to win the Tour; Contador inherits a team containing Jens Voigt and Fabien Cancellara, two of the best roleurs in the world.

But, looking deeper, there is more than just convenience behind this switch. Specialized Bicycle Components, the bike of choice for Team Astana (on the prompting of Contador no less), are due to strike a new deal with Saxo Bank; this, according to the rumors, is the reason for Contador’s switch. As with essentially all sporting decisions in the 21st century, money talks

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So, when my bike was stolen recently, it rather sapped my source of inspiration. Somehow riding the train is less fulfilling than cycling, and walking to the shops just isn’t the same as pedalling. And we all know that the exercise you get from actually riding is far superior to anything that can be replicated in a gym!

I am still bikeless, though I have recently bought myself a set of roller blades to try and fill the void. I’ve used them once. I am fully aware that I need to just get on with it and buy a new steed, but there is a small part of me that feels better off without it.

There is an inevitability about owning a bike, particularly in London, that its going to get stolen one day (particulary if you are like me and have chained it up in front of a street of Fulham flats and houses for rent). And of course, newer bikes are bigger targets. It’s always something of a hassle to find somewhere suitable to park up - especially now that so many places technically ban you from chaining your bike up, and yet fail to provide a suitable alternative to the usual trees/lamposts/fences that are now off limits.

That all said, I miss the freedom of my own two wheels. If you’re late, it’s your fault. If you get wet, it sucks but at least you feel like you’ve achieved a little something by cycling wherever you’re going, rather than getting soaked between train station and home.

I miss my bike. I feel emptier without it.

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Whether you are an expert bike rider or a budding beginner, the Cycle Show 2010 is the place to be if you have an interest in biking. The UK’s leading cycle show takes place in London’s Earls Court, between the 8^th and 10^th October, 2010.

The Cycle Show 2010 will feature a variety of experts on biking, who will deliver seminars and workshops for everyone with an interest in biking as well as a few cycle celebrities. As well as informative seminars, the Cycle Show 2010 has lots more to offer, including:

· The Commuter Test Track: Commuters who wish to get active during their commute to work can test out the Commuter Test Track where you can experience safe cycling to work, as well as experience cycling in different seasons.

· BMX Street Course: Everyone who loves to use their riding equipment as stunt gear will love this; watch famous BMX riders perform spectacular stunts and tricks with the humble bike.

· The Cycle store features the latest and state of the art equipment in the world of biking. Buy the newest cycle clothing, kit out your bike; maybe even buy a new bike at the Cycle Store.

· Mountain Bike Experience allows you to test out all of the latest bikes from standard to premium models.

The Cycle show 2009 was a roaring success, with 24,000 people attending the event, as more and more people decide to use the car less and cycle more. So throw on those asics running shoes and ride down to Earl’s Court, I promise that you will like what you find! Tickets vary in price, from £6 for children under 14, to £12 for adults. However this is a colossal event, worth every penny for the budding cycler, book now to avoid disappointment!

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Commuting in London is supposed to be stressful. Everyone’s got somewhere to be, but no-one ever wants to have to travel to get there. No matter what form of transport you use, there’s always something to stress you out. Too slow, too crowded, too long in coming, too much stopping and starting. Too unreliable.

The answer to this stress? Ride a bike. You are (mostly) in control of your destiny and, as often as not, it is quicker to cycle in London than it is to use any other form of transport.
To begin with, some bits of your journey may be a struggle but the more you do it the easier it becomes - especially if from time to time you cycle somewhere a little further than your average commute.
Of course commuting by bike has its down sides (but so do all the other modes of transport, remember.) If it rains, you get wet. If it’s hot, you get sweaty, and if you hit a pothole too hard or run over something sharp then you can get a puncture. And you can’t go out boozing after work without having to leave your bike behind!

When cycling in the city, it is of paramount importance that you are totally aware of your surroundings. The road surface (potholes are a surprising menace), traffic lights, and the other traffic are all major factors to be aware of when riding. Be aware of whats likely to happen, and anything unlikely, too. I always ride with at least one hand on the brakes. Being prepared can help you stay safe. So does wearing a helmet, hi-viz clothing, and using lights when it’s dark.
Be safe, be seen, but enjoy it!

By the way, I just heard about different Soft skill training that you actually just play around with all of the people at the office. Apparently this event helps you will all sorts of things, soft skills, presentation skills, endless possibilities. My brother who runs a company asked me what I thought about it and I didn’t really know what to say. Has anyone else done anything like this?

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So much is wrong with the world, isn’t it? It’s really quite hard to pick out individual things to have a go at. One thing I can pick out is short pockets in trousers. Have you ever heard of anything so stupid as that? I doubt it! It’s almost as stupid as girls’ clothes with no pockets (dumb but understandable) and elephants genetically engineered to have small ears. Just what were the manufacturers of my cargo trousers thinking when they put these things on the market? And don’t think it was an accident. No, we all understand how much research and development goes in to making a pair of supposedly quality trousers. We all know that any problems are ironed out, which means there can be only one explanation: they are mocking us…

The story begins like this, dear reader…

I had gone to purchase some asics running shoes and a pair of cargo-trousers, like what John Rambo might proudly wear, and the reason was two-fold. I was getting over my fear of cargo-trousers (not big on pockets all over the place, I can’t trust their motive–) and, secondly, I was getting over my fear of people who sell cargo-trousers. Knock two fears out at once, I thought, that can’t be a bad thing! I didn’t check the pockets, that was my mistake. It was only when I got home that I realized the trousers had the shallowest pockets of any available: pockets for people with no hands, no less!

Some careful cutting and stitching made my small pockets usable, but it left me with a terrible depression, and did nothing to cure my cargo-trouser and people who sell cargo-trousers fear. I suggest that the next time you go to buy trousers you check the pockets. Don’t do what I did, solve your fear don’t make it worse!

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I am not going to pull any punches with this article, and allow me to begin here with this statement: cycle clips are nerdy, unforgivable, and a crime against humanity when worn by all but the fittest of most delectable babes. When I see someone wearing cycle clips I want to stop them, shake them, and scream in their face to take them off at once and burn them. It drives me crazy! The worst thing is that usually, nine times out of ten, cycle clip wearing people also wear all those reflective strips and things. In extreme cases the look (if you can call it that, which I’m not sure you can) goes a few steps too far, with a massive reflective jacket, cycle clips and four sets of lights joining together to create an intense and infuriating moving beacon that threatens to blind anyone within a five metre radius–

The problem is this: reflective clothes have been the same since the dawn of time. And since fashion icons aren’t exactly the kind to wheel about on push-bikes, that’s probably going to be the way it will stay for the rest of eternity. So I propose this to any fashion gurus who might be reading (fat chance, I know, but I have to try): please, do us a favour and design some reasonably fashionable stuff for these people to wear. Go on, do us a favour. Vivian Westwood could really do something good, I’m sure of it.

Until then we must take it upon ourselves, dear reader, to try and change the fate of reflective clothes. I’m not saying don’t wear them, but what I am saying is wear them and try to wear them a little cooler. Is that too much to ask? Why not experiment and customize. Put us out of our misery!

Good news everyone, I’ve been paid for that last freelance job that I did, you all know what that means, it’s about time to hit the store and pick up that new Garmin forerunner 305 that I have been waiting to get. Flavell, are you up for a quality time this weekend?

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The Tour of Andalucia is one of the toughest early season tours, spread over five stages and taking in mountainous terrain as well as a short time trial. The penultimate stage, the 10.9km time trial in Malaga provided the perfect opportunity for Wiggins to make up time on the leaders but although he finished second on the stage he remains in 58^th place going into the final day.

The stage was won by Denmark’s track specialist Alex Rasmussen with Wiggins five seconds back. Michael Rogers, the Australian cyclist who races for Team HTC-Columbia, finished fourth in the time trial but that was enough for him to wrest the overall lead from Sergio Padilla Bellon who had led from the start of the tour going into the Malaga circuit.

The final stage takes place today, a testing 161km route from Torrox Costa to Antequera. Rogers leads by 19 seconds from Jurgen Van Den Broeck, and that significant advantage should see him crowned King of Andalucia. Wiggins finds himself in 58^th place heading for Antequera and Cavendish is further back in 81^st.

Wiggins, the leader of newly formed and ambitious British outfit Team Sky, made his seasonal debut in the Tour of Qatar earlier this month. His performance in Qatar was below expectation but his team remain confident that he will be in peak condition for the Tour de France. Team Sky have made a blistering start to their first competitive year but their best placed cyclist in Andalucia is currently Thomas Lofkvist in tenth place.

Cavendish is making his seasonal bow in Andalucia, having cancelled previous engagements due to a painful tooth abscess. At times he has looked off the pace, but he will undoubtedly gain fitness as his season progresses. The ability of both these British riders is beyond doubt and I expect more heroics from them when we again reach France.

Before I sign off, any new news on the Riviera trip? Well I have finally decided to just go ahead and book the cannes villa that looked like a really good price. I hope you all agree or I will be seriously out of pocket.

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The impressive performance by Cummings and his team-mates continues the triumphant start to the season that the fledgling Team Sky have made. It comes hot on the wheels of Sky cyclist Greg Henderson winning the Cancer Council Helpline Classic in Adelaide, and an overall second place for Henderson in the five stage Tour Down Under.

The Marseille race is a gruelling contest over 140km of undulating terrain. It marked the debut in Europe for Team Sky, whose lofty ambition for their initial year is centred upon making a strong showing in this Summer’s Tour de France.

A large field had been closely grouped throughout most of la Marseillaise, but a breakaway group of ten riders made a decisive move on the final climb and the peloton could not find their way back to the leaders. Cummings cycled strongly and bravely and was ideally placed within this leading group but was finally shaken off in the last 200 metres in a furious sprint finish.

The race was won by Jonathan Hivert of France, with his compatriot Samuel Dumoulin in third and Dutchman Johnny Hoogerland splitting them in second. A realistic Cummings said afterwards: “Of course I’d have liked to have won but it was a pretty good start."Nevertheless, he can be very pleased with his efforts and as the same seven man Team Sky group head to the five day challenge of the Etoile de Besseges it seems only a matter of time before they taste their first major success.

With team leader and Olympic hero Bradley Wiggins due to make his Team Sky debut this month in Qatar, there is the promise of even greater things for the British based team. The ultimate prize of Champs Elysees glory could become a reality sooner than many cycling enthusiasts had antcipated.

So before I log off, I have something to admit. I love robin ellis (sorry Milton). I was viewing the last season on dvd well into the night and the acting was supurb! I would highly recommend this one to all of you…

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I find spending more money on high quality clothes tends to be an investment because they last longer and I embrace that concept by wearing things to the bitter end. This inevitable demise came to my trainers the other day as I discovered a hole had worn through the sole, so I embarked upon a footwear based journey of self discovery.

Shopping is hard. Especially for someone as analytical as myself, there’s a lot of variables when choosing footwear. Different occasions , weather conditions, clothing combinations all need consideration and let’s not forget hypothetical scenarios… what if I have to jump a pool of acid, Climb a lamppost or kick a hedgehog? (NB. I would only kick a hedgehog if it would save human lives) What about the supermarket? I could slip on some grapes, a can of beans could fall on my foot… arrghhhh!?! Choice paralysis!

Shops came and went, I covered great distances and the daylight dwindled. As I was trudging back to the bus stop, defeated, I saw a generic shoe megastore was still open. I ventured in… What delight, thousand of shoes, all utterly sh*t! My options diminished in seconds, if only I’d thought of going to rubbish shoe shops earlier! The only remotely suitable shoes were some bland airwalks reduced to £9.99, we have a winner. Suddenly, I realised that my requirements aren’t that common, I don’t want people to think my shoes are good, being ‘on trend ’ is pretty shameful in my eyes.

So why, given my general misanthropy, was I reluctant to wear these shoes? I don’t care what people think of me, so am I really a trainer snob devoid of rationality?

‘‘No!’’ I declared defiantly as I headed to the tills.

On my way home I pondered what was distressing me, ‘It can’t be just because they were cheap, I’m not that shallow’. Admittedly, no self respecting skater would wear them- but I haven’t skated in years. Here’s my conclusion, at some point in my youth, the brand had sold out in my mind and now (for me) they represented style over substance, perception over function and ironically that’s what was frustrating me.

Needless to say, when I got home I ‘debranded’ my shoes and they do the job just fine.

Am I a trainer snob? Perhaps a bit… but at least I’m not paying for it.

Finally, I need to congratulate myself. I have just bought the nicest asics running shoes that I have ever owned. LA Marathon, here I come! Maybe I am a trainer snob…

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